The Best Benchmade Knives for Everyday Carry
12th Apr 2024
The 5 Best Benchmade Knives for Everyday Carry
If you've spent time around pocket knives or fixed blades, you know the name Benchmade. Benchmade is one of the most well-respected knife companies in the industry, known for their high-quality, durable knives made in the USA out of Oregon City, Oregon.
Benchmade was founded in 1988 in California by Les de Asis with the goal of making functional and durable knives for the real world. De Asis wanted customers to know they were getting a knife "made on the bench," giving it a quality finish and feel. They source only premium steels in their knives, mostly high-carbon, stainless steel alloys, to provide an optimal balance of edge retention, strength, and corrosion resistance. Benchmade's heat treatment maximizes the potential of these steels, and if you've ever used one, you're aware of their edge retention. Since 1988, Benchmade has grown leaps and bounds from just a few employees at the "bench." Nowadays, Benchmade uses high-tech laser cutters and precision milling equipment; however, skilled employees still do all of the assembly, inspection, sharpening, and finishing by hand. This ensures the fit and finish meet exacting standards that most other factories can't achieve. In 1998, Benchmade introduced a knife innovation that has since swept across the knife-making world. Patent #5,875,552 marks the Axis Lock mechanism. The Axis Lock provides a smooth, robust, and one-handed opening and safe closing lock bar. Operated efficiently from both right-handed and left-handed users with bare hands or gloves. Toss in Benchade's stellar warranty and Lifesharp service, and you've got a knife for life! Benchmade distills form and function into high-performing yet aesthetically pleasing knives that stand up to hard use and often become lifelong extensions of the user due to their quality and warranty support. Now that you know this, let's check out some Benchmade knives!
1
Benchmade Griptilian 551 and 550 | Grivory | CPM-S30V | 58-60HRC
As a very long-time fan of this knife, I am opting to throw in my own 2 cents in this article. I carried the early version of this knife for nearly 200 trail miles in the early 2000's through the Pacific Northwest's Cascade Mountains. Fast-forward to today (2023) and it is still running the same Axis Springs! Needless to say, I have a personal connection with it. The handles are worn in, the blade shows its age and it still does anything I need it to do! Through rain, mud, blood, and dirt, the knife handled perfectly through day-to-day tasks.
The Griptillian 551 (pictured) and the 550 (found here) both sport an overall length of 8.07 inches and a drop-point blade of 3.45 inches. It boasts ambidextrous clip positions for tip-up carry in your left or right pocket. If you're a fan of lanyards, you'll be pleased to find a lanyard hole at the base of the knife scales. The Griptillian is light enough that it virtually disappears in your pocket not adding much weight with each step throughout your day. The Grivory handles (glass-filled nylon) are extremely lightweight and very durable. Grivory material is widely used throughout the aerospace industry, and industrial applications. We don't need to spend too much time discussing CPM-S30V blade steel. Just know that it was developed in collaboration with knifemakers (Chris Reeve and Dick Barber)for the perfect balance for everyday carry knives. If you desire the technical jargon, CPM S30V's chemistry promotes the formation of vanadium carbides, which are harder and more effective than chromium carbides in providing wear resistance. The powdered metallurgy process reduces the size of the carbides and gives the steel a very refined grain, which further improves its toughness (source, blade protection). The Griptillian has stainless-steel liners, zero hot-spots and ample jimping along the spine for curating careful cuts. In my opinon this is one of the greatest carry options. Good for large hands and easy on those who wear smaller gloves. This knife is a great option for anyone who works around corrosive applications (looking at you, mechanics), or simply needs a cutting tool that can tackle opening packages, cutting irrigation hose, slicing beef at the campsite or simply wants to stay prepared and weighing in at only $144.00 it won't break the bank.
2
Benchmade 940 Osborne | Green Aluminum | CPM-S30V | 58-60HRC
Chances are that you know someone who already carries a 940 Osborne. Widely regarded as one of the world's best-suited EDC (everyday carry) knives, the Benchmade 940 Osborne is purpose-built and well-recognized with its 3.4-inch reverse tanto blade, green aluminum handles, and signature purple backspacer. Designed by Australian Rancher Warren Osborne and introduced in 2000 at Blade Show, this knife is still at the top of nearly every EDC list globally. It's about as close to perfect as you can get. Benchmade offers several variants of the 940 Osborne. The 945 Mini Osborne in G10, 945 Mini in green aluminum, 940 Osborne in black G10, 940 in carbon fiber, 9400 Auto Osborne, 945 Mini Gold Series Osborne, 945 Mini in carbon fiber, 9400BK Auto, as well as custom options both the full-size and mini on Benchmade's website and several other models that are spin-offs of this design. Needless to say, it is well worth the price tag of $216.00.
The Benchmade 940 Osborne knife carries the same good things that built Benchmade's knife empire. Like most Benchmade knives it offers ambidextrous tip-up carry options with the reversible pocket clip and AXIS lock. The knife weighs in under 3 ounces, making the strength-to-weight ratio unsurpassed when comparing it to other knives in the 7.87" overall length category. It's also worth noting that the 940 Osborne has a slew of aftermarket options available from other knife scale and clip makers (be careful, this will void your warranty). Don't believe the hype? Check one out for yourself!
3
Benchmade Bugout | Grivory | CPM-S30V | 58-60HRC
Meet one of the most copied knives of all time, the Benchmade Bugout 535. Introduced to the knife world in 2017, it has already outsold most knives through its production era. As a self-proclaimed knife enthusist, I've owned nearly 30 of these through the past years. I still keep a couple in boxes in case I need a new one to open up to play with! Have you been wanting a no-nonsense knife that does everything and doesn't look out of place no matter where you pull it out? The Bugout is the knife that can do all of this. Talk about homeruns in the knife world; someone is bound to bring this knife up more than once. $162.00 gets you a knife for life.
Let me start by saying this knife is so light that you might forget it's even in your hand. 1.85 ounces with a 3.24-inch blade! Remember that although countless videos exist of folks trying to discredit the Bugout's popularity, almost every video ends with praise. If you want a quality knife but need help deciding what to grab, you can't go wrong with the 535 Bugout. 13 different variations of this knife exist currently on Benchmade's website, and more can be found if you dive into the world of exclusives and Gold Class knives. The Bugout comes standard with a deep-carry pocket clip and drop-point style blade. Whether you are hitting the trail for a few days, going for a jog, or just heading into the office, the Benchmade Bugout is at home, no matter where you use it. You can also find a magnitude of companies making everything for this knife: scales, hardware, and clips. Do yourself a favor, grab one, and bug out!
4
Benchmade Mini Adamas | Marbeled Carbon Fiber | CPM-MagnaCut
If you're looking for a pocket knife with more meat on its bones, check out the Mini Adamas. The 273-03 Mini Adamas sets the bar for toughness while still being able to grace the left or right pocket of your favorite jeans or Sunday church wear. Many folks have been caught whispering, "Now that's a knife," when they open this thing up for the first time. There is no doubt that this knife is capable of tough days on the farm, mission carry in the military, or gardening at home. The Mini Adamas is well-rounded, stout, and firm, and its ergonomics are like an extension of your hand. On paper, it reads almost like any other daily carry knife. 7.62 inches overall, and a 3.25-inch blade in MagnaCut steel. MagnaCut might sound like something out of Castle Greyskull, but I assure you, it's not. It is simply some really, really tough steel that holds an edge very well.
Grace the office water station or open every hay bail across 300 acres. The new school, Mini Adamas, withstands the abuse. Branded as a tactical folder from the Benchmade folks, it truly is a knife of knives. Like nearly all knives from Benchmade, it rides on phosphor bronze washers so it can take some dirt; just be sure to clean it up and keep it lubed so it's ready for work in the morning. Sitting at $337.50, it definitely comes at a price that beckons for praise if you are lucky enough to catch one when they drop. This beast sells out quicker than an iPhone in 2011. They also make an auto version if you need rapid deployment.
5
Benchmade Freek | Carbon Fiber | CPM-S90V | 59-61HRC
If you're on the hunt for a light, large(ish) folding knife that comes complete with premium scale materials, and premium blade steel and is also dressed up for an anniversary dinner, the Freek might just be your thing. Sitting comfortably in weaved carbon fiber scales and a 3.6-inch CPM-S90V drop point blade with a red thumb stud and red spacers, the Freek is a head turner. This knife fits bigger hands very well. So if you have some whopping mitts attached to the end of your arms, you'll find this knife to work very well. For those of you who can't palm a basketball, Benchmade has you covered with the Mini Freek. As the others before and I am sure, the others following the Freek, this knife can be easily carried and operated from both the left and right hands. Southpaws will also find the axis lock to be less of a chore than operating a right-handed frame or liner lock. The carbon fiber scales are around five times stronger than steel and can resist weak acids, cleaning agents, oils, and most greases. Combo the scale material with the insane edge retention of stainless CPM-S90V blade steel, and you'll find yourself using this thing for the distance before it ever needs the edge touched up.
Sharpening the sublime S90V steel may try your patience, but enough strokes in and you'll be able to savor an edge lasting eons without the worry of rust. Finally a large knife that is not overcompensating - the graciously grand Benchmade Freek fits good in bohemeth hands and is easily operated directly from the pocket. Appearing neither brash or "freekish" if used in public, the Freek flaunts no flippance as it flawlessly flies through daily tasking. The Freek companin conforms comfortably wherever you roam-be it the forested wild or the domestic den. Sliding in at $315.00 and lasting a lifetime.
Step into any self-respecting knife shop or outdoor shop, and you’ll spot Benchmade blades faster than you can say “Stainless steel.” These maestros of the cutting edge have carved quite a name for themselves—and rightfully so! Adored by aficionados and novices alike, Benchmade boasts devotees spreading the good word online along with ample aftermarket accessories made by fans. Yet their shining glory remains the knives themselves, as versatile as they are virtuosic. Backed by lifetime warranties and a large dealer network, Benchmade continues pushing out hard-won trust one satisfied customer at a time.
We’d be remiss not to highlight our personal favorites from their expanding arsenal. From the tried-and-true Griptilian to the intrepid Bugout, Benchmade’s blades stand out as paragons of the form.
River's Edge Cutlery
River's Edge Cutlery in Hilliard, Ohio, is a premier destination for knife enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. This cutlery and outdoor haven offers an extensive selection of high-quality knives, from pocket and kitchen cutlery to specialty blades for hunting, camping, and everyday carry. With a deep passion for blades, their expert staff provides personalized guidance, ensuring customers find the perfect tool for their needs. River's Edge Cutlery is not just a store; it's a community hub where knife enthusiasts can connect, learn, and explore the world of knives. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a novice looking for the ideal blade, this Columbus gem is dedicated to delivering exceptional knives and expertise to all who walk through its doors.